Hatch for ships.



No. 777,878. PATENTED DEC. 20, 1904.

, E. G. AKERS.

HATCH FOR SHIPS.

APPLICATION FILED MAY 4, L903. .NO MODEL.

2 SHEETS-SHEET l.

4 21276686288 fizz/exam? No. 777,878. PATENTED DEC. 20, 1904.

E. G. AKERS.

v HATCH FOR SHIPS.

APPLICATION FILED MAY 4, 1903.

N0 MODEL. 2 SHEBTBSHEET 2.

% mm m E WWW mllllhlll l UNITED STATES Patented December 20, 1904.

PATENT OFFICE.

HATCH FOR SHIPS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 777,878, dated December 20, 1904.

Application filed May 4, 1903. Serial No. 155,509.

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that LEARL G. Axnns, of Port Huron, in the county of St. Clair and State of Michigan, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Hatches for Ships; and I do hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and exact description thereof, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, and to the letters of reference marked thereon, which form a part of this specification.

This invention relates to improvements in hatches for vessels, and refers more specifically to an improved hatch-cover and means for fastening the same in place over the hatchway.

The invention consists in the matters hereinafter set forth,and more particularly pointed out in the appended claims.

In the drawings, Figure 1 isa fragmentary plan view of ship-deck, showing my improved hatch. Fig. 2 is a transverse section of the hatch, taken on line 2 2 of Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a longitudinal vertical section of one end of the hatch. Fig. i is a longitudinal vertical section of the hatch at a point nearer the longitudinal center thereof than that shown in Fig. 3. Fig. 5 is a fragmentary side elevation of the hatch near the deck, showing the deck in section. Figs. 6 and 7 are fragmentary details showing the manner of locking together the cover-sections.

As shown in said drawings, A designates the deck of the vessel, and A the hatchway.

B designates the coamings surrounding the hatchway and rising from the deck in the usual manner. Said coamings are surmounted by rails Z), extending laterally beyond both sides of the coamings and giving to the upper margins of said coamings a flanged effect.

C C and C C designate sheet-metal hatchcovers, the former being the intermediate cover-sections and the latter the end coverscctions. The series of cover-sections extend transversely across and are supported on the coamings, and they are interlocked end to end to constitute when assembled a continuous cover. The cross-section of the intermediate covers is shown more clearly in Fig. 2, Wherein it is seen that the parts of the cover laterally outside the coaming with depending side parts 0, the lower margins of which ex' tend almost to the deck-level. The end coversections incline laterally and outwardly from their highest points at the inner ends thereof, thereby constituting three separate inclined surfaces 0 c 0 Theend cover-sections are provided at their sides with depending parts, like the section 0, and located laterally outside the coamings and are provided at their ends with similar depending parts or curtains 0, located laterally outside of the transverse or end coamings. Preferably said cover-sections are made of corrugated metal, the corrugations of the intermediate sections extending transversely from one side of each section to the other. The parts 0 of the end cover-sections 0, which incline laterally, are shown as laterally corrugated, while the parts 0' thereof, which incline longitudinally outwardly, are corrugated longitudinally with respect to the hatchway. The corrugations of all of the sections are preferably continued to the lower margins of their depending parts. The intermediate cover sections are supported on the coamings by means of flanged rollers D, which are located inside the depend ing side parts 0 thereof and are rotatively mounted on bolts (Z, which extend through the arms of brackets D, attached to the inner faces of said depending parts 0 of the cover-sections. The flanged rollers rest and roll on the rail 5 of the coamings. The end sections (1 may also be provided with rollers, but, as herein shown, are supported through the medium of blocks D attached to said sections and resting on the coamings. The intermediate sections C are secured to the coamings in a manner to prevent the same rising therefrom by means of clamping clutch devices embracing in general terms clutch-jaws E, which grasp the upper rails of the coamings and shafts E, to the lower ends of which which span the hatchway are arch-shaped, l the jaws are attached and which extend upwardly through the top walls of the coversections and have adjustable and detachable connection therewith. The shafts E extend through and have screw-threaded engagement with sleeves F, attached to the under sides of the cover-sections. The said shaft E of each clutch device is'provided with a rotative or swivel joint 0, whereby the upper or screw-threaded end may be turned or rotated, while the lower end thereof is non-rotative. The upper ends of the clutch-jaws have slotted connection with the shaft E, and the parts are so arranged that when the said jaws'are engaged with the coaming-rails and an upward pull or stress is exerted on the shaft through its screw-threaded connection with its cover section said clutch arms are swung together in a manner to clasp the top rail of the coaming. When said pulling stress is released and the shaft moved downwardly, said clutch-jaws are laterally separated, so as to permit the same to be disengaged from the coamingrails. The end cover -sections are provided at the outer ends thereof and on each side with clutch devices adapted to clutch the top rail of the transverse or end coamings. The end and intermediate cover-sections are joined at their meeting margins by means providing substantially water tight joints. Said connection may be variously effected, and when said cover-sections are transversely corrugated, as herein shown, this connection may be effected by overlapping the meeting ends of the cover-sections with the corrugations thereof interlitting with each other. The joint thus formed is sufficiently waterproof to avoid the necessity of using packing between the overlapping parts of the cover-sections. Tension is exerted on the series of cover-sections connected, as thus described, longitudinally of the hatch in a manner to force the interlocking parts thereof in close-fitting relations. Such tension is applied by means of outwardly-inclined tensionrods G, located one at each side of each end cover, which extend outwardly therethrough and through screw-threaded sleeves G, attached to the inner faces of said inclined end cover-sections and adapted to bear at their inner ends against seats Gr, which are attached to the inner faces of the coamings near the upper margins thereof, as clearly shown in Fig. 3. Said rods are disposed at such angle to the horizontal that when turned down on their seats they exert a pull on the cover-sections longitudinally of the hatchway, and by reason of the interlocking connections between the several sections such tension is exerted throughout the entire series of coversections.

As an additional means of preventing the separation of the cover-sections when tension is placed thereon in the manner described I have provided locking devices. (Shown in detail in Figs. 6 and 7.) The locking device shown consists of a hasp H, which is hinged at one end to one of the cover-sections and is adapted to engage a stud h, rising from the upper face of an adjacent cover-section. The contacting faces of the stud 7L and the hasp H when the latter is closed are inclined, as clearly shown in Fig. 6, so that when tension is exerted on the series of coversections in the manner described said coaeting inclined surfaces constitute a lock to prevent the hasp from accidentally rising. One or more of said locking devices may be employed at the joint between two adjacent c0ver-sections, and if two are employed one is located at each side of the cover. When placing the cover-sections over the hatch, the said sections are moved together sufficiently to allow the hasps H to pass freely over their associated lugs it, and thereafter when tension is applied to the series of cover-sections the wedging or inclined coacting faces of the hasps and lugs are brought into engagement, as shown in Fig. 6, whereby the hasps are prevented from rising until the tension is released therefrom.

As before stated, the depending side parts of the cover-sections extend almost to the deck-level, and means are provided for deflecting water from the joints between said side depending parts of the cover-sections and the coamingsfso as to prevent water which dashes against the sides of the cover-sections from being forced upwardly between the cover-sections and the coamings and over the latter. Said means are made as follows: I I designate hinged plates, which are hinged to the deck A by means of ordinary butt-hinges t in a manner to swing toward and from the depending side portions of the cover-sections and occupy when swung up against said depending parts of the cover-section the inclined positions shown in Fig. 2 Said plates are detachably locked to said depending parts of the cover-sections by means of latches I, having the form of hook-bolts, which are rotatively mounted in the side sections and the hooks of which are adapted when turned downwardly to overlap the upper margins of the inclined plates when the latter are occupying their upper positions. WVhen said plates are thrown downwardly preparatory to removing the cover-sections, they lie flat upon the deck and present no objectionable obstructions on the deck. Said hinged plates I need not lit with such accuracy against the depending portions of the cover-sections as to provide absolutely water-tight joints; but, arranged as they are, they serve to break the force of the water striking against the sides of the hatch-cover and prevent the water passing in beneath the sides of the cover-sections with such force and in such quantities as to be thrown upwardly over the coamings into the hatchway. What little water may find its way between the plates I and the descending portions of the cover-sections or between such IOC plates and the deck quickly runs away from the coamings by reason of the usual inclination of the deck toward the sides of the boat.

When applying the hatch-cover, one of the end sections C is first fitted to the coamings, and thereafter the intermediate sections G are placed in position one at a time with the end margin thereof overlapping the margin of the cover-section last placed in position, and, finally, the second end cover-section is fitted in place with its inner end margin overlapping the outer end margin of,the next adjacent intermediate cover-section. The cover-sections are thereafter fastened or clamped down on the coaming by means of the clutch devices described, and the hasps H of the several sections are engaged with the coacting or associated lugs of the adjoining sections. Thereafter the tension rods or shafts G are screwed down on their seats G to exert longitudinal tension on the series of connected cover-sections. Thereafter the wings or plates I are swung upwardly into position against the depending side and end parts of the cover-sections. The hatchway is thus covered by means which prevents the entrance of water thereto without the necessity of employing a tarpaulin to cover the entire hatch, as has heretofore been a common practice; nor is it necessary to employ batten or packing between the joints of adjacent cover-sections, as is necessary under the present practice. I am thus enabled to save the expense of providing tarpaulins and the packing materials referred to and also to materially decrease the time required for fitting the cover-sections over the hatchway. hen the hatch-cover is to be removed for the purpose of loading or unloading the vessel, one of the end cover-sections C is first removed, which is accomplished by moving outwardly the tension-rodsG and thereafter lifting said section off the coamings. Thereafter the intermediate cover-sections C are rolled one at a time to the end of the hatchway which has been uncovered by the removal of the end cover-section and maybe piled over the removed end section and over each other at the end of the hatchway. The remaining hatch-cover is thereafter lifted off the coamings, thereby entirely exposing the hatchway. \Vhen the cover-sections are again to be applied to cover the hatchway, the end cover-section which was the last to be removed is placed in position on the coamings, and the intermediate cover-sections are thereafter lifted on the coamings with the flanged rollers D engaging the coaming-rails and are rolled one at a time toward the end of the hatchway to which the end cover-section has been applied and lapped one over the other and clamped down on the coamings by means of the clamping devices described. Thereafter the hasps H of the adjacent ends of the cover-sections are swung over their associated lugs h, and, finally,

tension is applied to the l series of cover-sections by means of the tension-rods Cr in the manner before described.

It will be seen that the time and laber required to remove and replace the hatch-cover is materially reduced as compared with hatchcovers made under the prevailing practice and that this work can be done with the labor of less men than has been heretofore required. When preparing to load or unload a vessel, it is often necessary in the use of hatches made under the prevailing practice to remove the batten or packing some time before the vessel arrives at the loading or unloading dock merely to hasten the removal of the cover when the ship has arrived at the dock. Such removal of the packing destroys the watertight joints between the cover and the coamings, which in stormy weather is a serious objection, as it exposes the cargo for a time to water which may find its way through the unprotected joints between the cover and coamings and between the sections of the cover. Again, it often occurs that, owing to the trouble occasioned and time required for inserting the batten or packing and the desire to save the tarpaulins, such packing is not inserted nor the tarpaulin employed during fair weather and a smooth sea. Under such circumstances should a sudden storm occur it is necessary that the hatch be packed and covered, and this work is invariably accompanied by great inconvenience, especially should the storm occur during the night. By reason of the fact that the hatch-cover sections of my invention may be readily removed and replaced the joints between the several parts of the hatch-cover sections need not be disturbed until the time for loading or unloading has arrived. Moreover, when the cover-sections are in place, the hatch is waterproof without further trouble or labor, so that no extra work is required to make the hatch safe upon a sudden change of weather.

It will of course be understood that the sections of the cover will be provided with suitable handles by which they may be conveniently handled to remove the same from and place them on the coamings.

Changes in the structural details of the construction may be made without departing from the spirit of my invention, and I do not wish to be limited to such details except as hereinafter made the subject of specific claims.

I claim as my invention 1. The combination with a ships deck and a hatchway therein, of coamings rising from the deck, a hatch-cover comprising a plurality of cover-sections which are joined end to end by water-excluding joints and provided with rollers which rest on said coamings and are adapted to roll thereon from one end of the hatch to the other, and means for separately fastening the cover-sections to the coamings.

2. The combination with a ships deck and a hatchway therein, of coamings rising from the deck, a hatch-cover comprising a plurality of cover-sections joined end to end by waterexcluding joints, said sections having depending portions located laterally outside of the coamings, means for supporting said coversections on the coamings, and means at the lower margins of said depending portions of the cover-sections acting to deflect water from the joints between said depending portions of the cover-sections and the deck.

3. The combination with a ships deck and a hatchway therein, of coamings rising from the deck, a hatch-cover comprising a plurality of cover-sectionshaving at theirsides and ends depending portions located laterally outside of the coamings, means for supporting said cover-sections on the coamings, means for providing substantially water-tight joints between the meeting margins of the cover-sections, and plates hinged to the deck and adapted to swing upwardly against the said depending portions of the cover-sections.

4. The combination with a ships deck and a hatchway therein, of coamings rising from the deck, a hatch-cover comprising a plurality of cover-sections having at their sides and ends depending portions located laterally outside of the coamings. means for supporting said cover-sections on the coamings, means for providing substantially water-tight joints between the meeting margins of the sections,

plates hinged to the deck and adapted to swing upwardly against the said depending parts of the cover-sections and latches for fastening the hinged plates in their upper position.

5. The combination with a ships deck and a hatchway therein, of coamings rising from the deck, a hatch-cover comprising a plurality of cover-sections which are supported on said coamings and joined end to end by water-excluding joints, said cover-sections being archshaped in cross-section, rollers on the inner side of said cover-sections which rest on the coamings and are adapted to roll from one end of the hatchway to the other, and means located at the margins of the cover-sections to deflect water from the joints between the cover-sections and the deck.

6. The combination with a ships deck and a hatchway therein, ot' coamings rising from the deck, a hatch-cover comprising a plurality of cover-sections supported on said coamings and joined end to end by water-excluding joints, said cover-sections being arch-shaped in cross-section and provided with depending side parts located laterally outside of the coamings and extending almost to the deck-level, and means located at the section-margins to deflect water from the joints between the depending side margins of the cover and the deck.

7. The combination with a ships deck, and a hatchway therein, of coamings rising from the deck, a hatch-cover comprising a plurality of arched-shaped cover-sections having depending parts located laterally outside of the coamings, rollers on the inner sides of said depending portions of the cover-sections which rest and roll on the coamings and means for attaching said cover-sections to the coamings.

8. The combination with a ships deck and a hatchway therein, of coamings rising from the deck, a hatch-cover comprising a plurality of cover-sections which are joined end to end by means afl'ording substantially water-tight joints, rollers on said cover-sections which rest and roll on the coamings, and means for attaching said cover-sections to the coamings comprising screw-threaded shafts extending through the cover-sections and jaws on the ends of said shafts which engage the upper margins of the coamings.

9. The combination with a ships deck and a hatchway therein, of coamings rising from the deck and a hatch-cover comprising archshaped cover-sections extending between and supported on said coamings, said cover-sections being transversely corrugated.

10. The combination with a ships deck and a hatchway therein, of coamings rising from the deck and a hatch-cover comprising archshaped cover-sections extending between and supported on said coamings, said cover-sections being transversely corrugated and the adjacent ends of adjoining cover-sections overlapping one over the other with their corrugations interfitting.

11. The combination with a ships deck and a hatchway therein, of coamings rising from the deck, a hatch-cover comprising a plurality of cover-sections extending between and supported on the coamings, means for interlocking the meeting ends of the cover-sections and means for exerting tension, on the series of cover-sections longitudinally of the hatch.

12. The combination with a ships deck and a hatchway therein, of coamings rising from the deck, a hatch-cover comprising a plurality of cover-sections extending between and supported on the coamings, means for interlocking the meeting ends of the cover-sections and means for exerting tension on the series of cover-sections longitudinally of the hatchway comprising a rotative tension-rod which has screw-threaded engagement with the end cover and engaging at its inner end a stationary seat or abutment.

13. The combination with aships deck and a hatchway therein, of coamings rising from the deck, a hatch-cover comprising a plurality of cover-sections which extend between and are supported on said coamings, means for clamping the cover-sections to the coamings, interlocking connections between the adjacent margins of adjoining sections and means for exerting tension on the series of interlocked sections longitudinally of the hatchway.

14:. The combination with a ships deck and a hatch way therein, of coamings rising from the deck, a hatch-cover extending across and sup- ICC ported on said coamings comprising a plurality of cover-sections, said cover-sections being transversely corrugated, the adjacent margins of adjoining cover-sections lapping one over the other with the corrugations in interlitting relation and means for applying tension to the series of interlocked cover-sections longitudinally of the hatch.

15. The combination with a ships deck and a hatchway therein, of coamings rising from the deck, a hatch-cover extending across and supported on said coamings comprising a plurality of cover-sections which are transversely corrugated, the meeting margins of adjoining sections lapping one over the other with the corrugations meeting in interlitting relation, means on the adjacent margins of the coversections for positively locking the same together and means for exerting tension on the interlocked cover-sections longitudinally of the hatchway.

16. The combination with a ships deck and a hatchway therein, of coamings rising from the deck, a hatch-cover extending across and supported on said coamings comprising a plurality of cover-sections which are transversely deck, a hatch-cover extending across and supported on said coamings comprising a plurality of cover-sections which meet end to end, latches on adjacent ends of adjoining sections for locking the same together and means for exerting tension on the series of connected cover-sections end wise of the hatchway.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my invention 1 aflix my signature, in presence of two witnesses, this 27th day of April, A. D.

EARL G. AKERS. Witnesses:

B. C. \NHITE, GEORGE R. WVILKINs. 

